Gordon Fox Grabill

Gordon Fox Grabill was born to Rex Walter and Gloria Katherine Fox Grabill on November 9, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan. A product of a naval aviator during WWII and the Korean conflict and the daughter of a military commander so he grew up in a diverse culture but respectful honor of his military ancestors. So those of you here who have served in any capacity or had members of your family serve in any capacity, we salute and honor you on this Veterans Day.

He moved to Fulton Kentucky with his parents as his father took the reigns of the Ferry Morse Seed Company. As changes in life and discontentment often occur, he and his mother moved to California where he grew up most of his life. There is where he learned to be self-reliant and adaptable as his mother traveled China reliving some of her earlier childhood years when her father was a commander in the Navy. As a young teen, Gordon became known on the block as a young man who was dependable and trustworthy as he oversaw neighbors’ houses while they were gone, feeding their pets, collecting the mail, and watering grass and plants and making sure all was intact of each house he was entrusted to watch. Once, as he made the rounds of a house, he saw a switch he believed should not be own. He turned the outside switch off not knowing it cut the power to the whole house. When the residents returned, they were shocked to find a pungent odor coming from the garage door. Shutting off the power disconnected the freezer in the garage, and we all know what kind of smells can come from a thawed-out freezer. In later years, Gordon developed a friendship with an evening radio host, so he visited the station often and learned speaking techniques as well as becoming educated from the various guests who were spotlighted on the show. Little did anyone know this would be seeds that were planted as he grew to become a dynamic salesman with charisma and persuasion.

After high school, Gordon went to college at San Jose State graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Eager to begin earning a living, he obtained a job as a shoe salesman. Later he landed a job as a salesman for the Josten Ring company relocating him to the Texas area. During this move, he met and married the beautiful blonde Diana Ruth Jones Freeman on April 26, 1975, and became instant father to her daughter, Amy. To this union 3 more children were added, Shannon, Melanie, and Benjamin to make their family a total of 5. He also became a highly successful salesman for the Josten’s company as his 2nd year he became the Regional salesperson for the Southern District; the following year he was now a member of the Turquoise Club, the highest achievement level for Jostens. He also began teaching their salesforce. During this time, he also traveled the world with various companies he served who celebrated successes of their staff by offering trips, vacations, and highly sought after recognition awards.

A successful, well educated, well read, and a vision for improvement not only in himself but for his community, he became involved in various organizations often elected as president or vice president. When his children were small and wanted to get involved in sports, he became active in refereeing soccer and teaching his children the skills and knowledge of the game. After we were married, refereeing became too much for a happily married newlywed man who was eating well, he became a sought-after instructor for all the South Texas refereeing community.

He met his current wife, Sherry Janca Schulz on December 26, 1998 through a dating service and were married July 1, 2000 in San Antonio then adding 2 more children to the family, Jonathan and Destiny Schulz. I joined him in the awards business in 2009 and became his partner in its success. He and I were invited to become members of the Recognition Roundtable, an organization designed to help award dealers with growing their business and sharing ideas to strengthen each other. He received Volunteer of the year in 2004 and 2005 from the International Awards and Recognition Association and served as president for the Recognition Roundtable in 2014 and 2015.

Another phase of his life began after we were married, when he moved to another part of the city and got to know his neighbors. His interest quickly turned to improvement of our neighborhood serving as vice president and then president of the Camelot 1 neighborhood association and later as part of the District 2 Presidents association in which he developed friendships, and help to lead the group and its citizens to become more knowledge about the city’s government practices and help to make their voices heard.

He developed friendships with many customers and suppliers over the years. He loved sharing stories of his many experiences he gained from his activities. Customers would love to spend extra time in AwardsMart to hear his stories, sharing a good laugh, and asking his opinion on problems they too might be having.

Most recently Gordon began attending church with me; something he had not previously had as consistent manner before. He liked what he heard, the camaraderie and love of the people, and certainly the hope of an eternal family. He was baptized April 24, 2021, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we were sealed November 26, 2022. Of the things he is most proud of are of all his children becoming responsible and productive citizens and loved being in the temple and at church. For the short time he was in the hospital he could see the temple from the therapy room. When he was unable to perform his therapy, he asked to be wheeled by the window so he could once again view the majesty of the temple and comfort his soul. It was during these times, he honored his patriarchal blessing by sharing the gospel with his nurses as they asked questions about the church and the temple.

Of all the things in the world he loved; it was his children. He loved family gatherings and the laughter it brought from the many stories that unfolded as remembered by all our children. He loved the laughter and the memories each remembered. He loved his association with the church and the members of the Windcrest ward and found a life he had been searching for for most of his life. He also loved being in the temple and the peace it brought him. He loved the awards industry and pleasure the awards brought to others’ lives. And he loved me.

He passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas, from heart complications. Preceded in death are his parents, 1 son in law Royal Washington, and 1 grandson, Dylan Robbins. Surviving him is his wife of 23 years, Sherry Janca Grabill, daughters, Amy Grabill Rivera, and fiance’ Robert Stinson, Shannon Grabill, Melanie Grabill (Robert) Shores, Destiny Schulz (Salvador) Lopez, and sons Benjamin (Brandi) Grabill, Jonathan (Amanda) Schulz. He also is survived by 18 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. I have been blessed to have been married to him, now to honor him.

A visitation for Gordon will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 8801 Midcrown Dr, Windcrest, TX 78239. A funeral service will occur Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 8801 Midcrown Dr, Windcrest, TX 78239. A committal service will occur Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78218.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com for the Grabill family.